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Trip to South Africa World Cup: A life's desire - Stewart Willard

The Story

Stewart was playing soccer for PISA when local doctors discovered fluid that was building up around his heart which made him feel weak and dizzy. During surgery to remove the fluid, doctors at Duke discovered a mass in his chest which was diagnosed as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. We were shocked - not once had "cancer" enter our minds as a possible reason for his fatigue. At 14 years old, Stewart handled the diagnosis and aggressive chemotherapy treatment with strength, courage and humor. He was AMAZING!

At last Saturdays game the team all wanted to wear Stewarts jersey number so they painted their cheeks with the number 11.  

Arranged to have the custom game ball signed by all team mates to give Stewart.

PISA coach Chad Crandell got a Hammerheads ball signed by all the Hammerheads team.

Coach Billy Eason arranged for the entire "A Wolf Company" team to drive to Duke to see their team mate.

 The team voted Stewart MVP 

The experience taught us all a lot about the generosity of friends, family and strangers, and about finding the positives in adversity. He is doing great - cancer-free! Looking at him now, you would never know he had ever been so sick. He's enjoying high school at Ashley and, of course, looking forward to play again this spring for PISA. We'll never forget the kindness of PISA especially right after he finished chemo and was still so weak but wanted to play soccer again. Even though he wasn't sure he could play much, the team welcomed him back and gave him hope that life was going to be "normal" again.

Stewart was granted a wish from Make-A-Wish Foundation, and he wished to go to a World Cup match. Make-A-Wish contacted PISA who helped make Stewart's wish come true. In June 2010, Make-A-Wish flew our family almost 8000 miles away to Cape Town, South Africa, to see two World Cup matches.

It was two years in July 2011 since his last chemotherapy treatment, and at that time, his doctors declared him "cured"!! We really appreciate all that you and PISA have done since his diagnosis in April 2009. It was awesome for his teammates and coaches to visit him at Duke! His Make-A-Wish trip was fantastic and we thank PISA for being part of that.

Thank you again, Mike, Billy & PISA, for everything!

- Karen Willard